The rush by media outlets to be “first” is proving to be a problem. Even as investigators scrambled to the scene of the helicopter crash that claimed the lives of nine persons in Los Angeles on Sunday, US media outlet, TMZ had been informing the world that basketball star, and father of four, Kobe Bryant had been killed. The rush to be first is now being criticised, with several people in authority lamenting the fact that family members may not have been given the news just one hour after the incident had taken place. TMZ had however broken the story, sending the world into a state of shock.
The media outlet was criticised by Los Angeles County Sheriff Alex Villanueva who told reporters, “It would be extremely disrespectful to understand that your loved one … perished and you learn about it from TMZ.” He said TMZ had posted the story a little more than one hour after police said they received reports of a downed aircraft.
Los Angeles County Undersheriff Tim Murakami also criticised TMZ in a tweet. “I am saddened that I was gathering facts as a media outlet reported … Kobe had passed,” Murakami wrote. “I understand getting the scoop but please allow us time to make personal notifications to their loved ones. It’s very cold to hear of the loss via media. Breaks my heart.”
Kobe Bryant leaves to mourn, his wife Vanessa Bryant and three other daughters.
What are your thoughts? Do you think it was insensitive for TMZ to run with the report before ensuring family members had been notified or do you think it goes with the territory?
Australia is stepping up its game to protect kids from the dangers of social media, with the government unveiling new legislation aimed at restricting social media use for children under 16. Describing the move as “world-leading,” Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has criticized the impact of social media use, on young users.
“Social media is doing harm to our kids, and I’m putting an end to it,” Albanese said in a press conference on Thursday.
The proposed law, which will be introduced to Parliament in its final two weeks of session starting November 18th, would see social media platforms like X, TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook given 12 months to adjust and block access for children younger than 16. Albanese said he had spoken to thousands of parents, grandparents, and relatives, who share his concern about keeping the nation’s children safe online.
This major announcement comes as governments worldwide continue to grapple with the issue of regulating kids’ access to social media and smartphones. The new Australian legislation would make social media companies accountable for enforcing the age restriction, with hefty penalties for non-compliance—but it would not penalize parents or underage users themselves. “The responsibility will fall on the platforms to prove they’re taking reasonable steps to keep kids off their sites,” Albanese said. “Parents and kids won’t be held responsible.”
The proposed law would allow for exceptions, such as for educational purposes, but Albanese made it clear that no child under 16 would be allowed to use social media, even with parental consent.
Earlier this year, the Australian government began testing age-restriction technologies, and the eSafety Commissioner will use the results to help guide social media platforms in how to comply with the new rules.
He’s hardly ever among the artistes on the Carnival circuit to get the attention of mass audiences, but he is certainly, for a third time, being considered for a Grammy nomination. The 67th Grammy Awards takes place on Sunday, February 2nd, 2025 at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles. The nominations for the awards will however be announced this coming Friday, November 8th. Trinidad and Tobago radio personality and artiste, RKG is among the artistes being considered for Grammy nomination for his album, Fully Digital. Once again, for this music lover, consideration by the Grammy nomination committee is a career highlight.
In previous years, RKG has been considered by the GRAMMYs and while his name has not made it to the final nomination list just yet, he says he is happy that his music’s quality has gotten him this far. “Your music must be of a particular standard to pass the submission process. There are certified voters – producers, songwriters and others, who will listen to the music’s standard and quality,” he shared, adding that he is of the firm belief that his third-time consideration is based on his music’s quality. “The first time I was given consideration was with the album, Caribbean Born. The second time around I was considered alongside Kes The Band in the category of Global Music Performance and now, the third time around, I’m being considered in the category of Best Reggae Album.
RKG’s latest album, ‘Fully Digital’ boasts 14 tracks. He told Ebuzztt that he spent two days alongside producer, NyceNation, steadily working to deliver on the project. Now, reflecting on the journey to this point, he stands proud and happy, recalling that those two days of dedication in an area considered a crime hotspot, was a necessary part of the end product. On his style and delivery, RKG tells us that his aim has never been to sound like every other artiste, or to be boxed in to any one genre of music. “Me setting myself apart equates to me sometimes sacrificing my career. That may be a strong statement to make, but what I mean is God has given me a talent that I can be musically versatile with, something that not many people are capable of doing. I try to separate myself musically, because I think being unique is what’s needed,” he said.
Admittedly influenced heavily by the likes of dancehall artistes, Spragga Benz, Bounty Killer, General Degree and T&T’s Bunji Garlin, RKG says now he has found his own style and is comfortable delivering songs that blend genres and offer a difference to global music lovers. “My greatest desire when it comes to my music is to hear my songs in movies, on Netflix and other major platforms. God is the boss and God is in charge of time. Music is something that can live on and I want to create music that lives on through the people, through generations. I want to give the people music that can talk to them, heal them, strengthen them; I want my music to transcend beyond the norm of any festival, any party,” he said, adding that good music connects to the soul of the listener.
The globe at the fingertips of musicians and creators, RKG is unfazed by those who question his music at home in the Caribbean. He however encourages everyone to take a listen to ‘Fully Digital’ with the understanding that his target audience is a global one and his sound, is as unique as the people of varied nationalities, races and ethnicities worldwide. “This album’s music is timeless; the songs are not dated and these songs can be played for years to come,” he shared, telling us that during the voting process he received a very encouraging email from one of the panel’s voters who credited him with what they said was a a very good body of work in ‘Fully Digital.’
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